UPDATE - Relief, rescue operations continue after devastating floods in 5 Asian countries

UPDATES WITH FRESH DEATH TOLL; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Relief and rescue operations in five Asian flood-affected countries continued on Thursday, with the death toll rising to 1,496, while hundreds remain missing, according to official data and local media reports.

Unprecedented floods, landslides, storms, and cyclones have wreaked havoc across Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, as authorities continue struggling to reach communities cut off by floods that have washed away roads and infrastructure.

While aid is being delivered by air to isolated areas in Indonesia, international humanitarian assistance continues to arrive in Sri Lanka to support ongoing relief efforts, as rescue teams work around the clock to provide food, medical supplies, and shelter to those affected by the disaster.

In Indonesia, the National Disaster Management Agency reported that floods and landslides in Sumatra alone have killed 836 people, with 509 still missing and approximately 2,700 injured.

The devastating floods and landslides also affected over 3.2 million people, while more than 1 million displaced people were moved to safe areas in the flood-hit provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh.

The agency said that heavy equipment has been deployed in affected areas to clear roads and allow authorities to reach isolated communities to deliver essential aid.

In Sri Lanka, the government approved Rs 50 billion ($135 million) to handle the national crisis triggered by the devastating Cyclone Ditwah on Nov. 17, as the death toll climbed to 481, while 345 are still missing, according to Newswire, citing government data.

With the approved amount, Rs 20 billion ($54 million) has been allocated for development relief and Rs 30 billion ($81 million) for development assistance, according to News 1st.

Aid is also being provided by various countries and organizations, including the US, Japan, the UAE, Pakistan, India, and UN agencies.

So far, 176 people have lost their lives in southern Thailand, while four died in India and three others in Malaysia.